Where does the UK import clothes from? Mostly from Asia. China and Bangladesh supply the largest share, followed by Turkey, India, and Pakistan, with Vietnam and Cambodia close behind. The UK imported about £17.7 billion of clothing in 2025, and the supplier map is shifting fast: Bangladesh is overtaking China, and since 15 July 2026 Indian garments have entered the UK at zero duty under the India-UK trade agreement. This guide sets out the latest import data by country, what the agreement changes, and what it means for UK brands choosing where to produce.
UK Clothing Imports by Country: The Top 5
| Rank | Country | Textiles and Apparel to the UK, 2025 | UK Duty Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | About $6.8 billion | Standard duty, around 12% on most clothing |
| 2 | Bangladesh | About $4.8 billion | Duty free under UK trade preferences for developing countries |
| 3 | Turkey | About $1.8 billion | Duty free under the UK-Turkey trade agreement |
| 4 | India | About $1.7 billion | Duty free since 15 July 2026 under the India-UK agreement |
| 5 | Pakistan | About $1.7 billion | Preferential access under UK trade preferences for developing countries |
So, where does the UK import clothes from beyond the top five? Vietnam and Cambodia follow at around $1.3 billion each, and EU clothing production countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Ireland account for most of the rest. Together, the top Asian countries supply well over 60% of the UK’s textile and apparel imports. Figures are for textiles and apparel combined in 2025, as reported from UK trade data; check the latest UK trade statistics for current figures.
What Is Changing in 2026
Three shifts stand out. First, Bangladesh is closing in on China: in the first quarter of 2026, Bangladesh’s clothing exports to the UK grew while China’s fell, reflecting brands spreading sourcing away from China. Second, India is growing quickly: Indian clothing exports to the UK rose by about 13% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, even before the trade agreement took effect. Third, the India-UK agreement has removed India’s biggest disadvantage. Before July 2026, Indian garments paid around 12% duty, while Bangladesh, Turkey, Cambodia, and Vietnam entered the UK duty free. Industry analysts expect India’s share of UK garment imports to rise from about 6% towards 12% over the next few years.
Does India Have a Free Trade Agreement With the UK for Textiles?
Yes. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement came into force on 15 July 2026, and it removes UK tariffs on Indian textiles and clothing. To claim zero duty, the garment must meet the agreement’s rules of origin, and the importer needs valid proof of origin from the exporter. UK import VAT at 20% still applies and is normally reclaimable for VAT-registered businesses. For a UK brand, this puts India on equal duty terms with Bangladesh and Turkey for the first time, while keeping India’s advantages in cotton, knitwear, and flexible order sizes. Our guide to importing clothes from India covers the steps and documents.
Top Clothing Manufacturing Countries Compared for UK Brands
Each of the main clothing production countries suits a different kind of UK range. The table below compares them on the points UK buyers ask about most.
| Country | Best For UK Brands | Watch-Out |
|---|---|---|
| China | Technical and synthetic garments, complex constructions | Pays UK duty that most rivals do not |
| Bangladesh | High-volume basics at the lowest unit price | High minimums; political and LDC-graduation uncertainty |
| Turkey | Fast fashion and short lead times to the UK | Higher costs and currency swings |
| India | Cotton knitwear, kidswear, sleepwear, printed and washed styles | Quality varies between factories; choose partners carefully |
| Pakistan | Denim and home textiles | Narrower product range |
Our Perspective From Tirupur
From where we sit, the agreement matters less as a headline and more in the detail of each order. For years, UK buyers who liked Indian cotton and printing had to absorb around 12% duty that their Bangladeshi or Turkish suppliers did not pay. That gap has now gone. An England-based sleepwear buyer we work with is a good example of what India adds: when a table all-over print was rejected, we moved to rotary discharge printing to give a soft, embedded print, the kind of process expertise that sits within the Tirupur cluster. Our guide to the best fabric for sleepwear tells that story. For UK brands still deciding, our guide to clothes made in the UK compares domestic production, and our hoodie cost breakdown includes a worked UK landed-cost example under the new duty terms.
UK brands can see our pages for t-shirt manufacturing for UK brands, hoodies for UK labels, nightwear for UK brands, and kidswear for UK retailers.
Our recommendation
If you are reviewing where your UK range is made, compare India again on landed cost now that duty is zero, especially for cotton knitwear, kidswear, and sleepwear. Make sure your supplier can provide valid proof of origin for every shipment. We make cotton knitwear for UK brands in Tirupur, with knit orders starting at 300 pieces per colour per style, 75 to 90 days from purchase order to shipment, and every order inspected to AQL 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the UK import clothes from?
Mainly from China, Bangladesh, Turkey, India, and Pakistan, followed by Vietnam and Cambodia. In 2025, China and Bangladesh together supplied the largest share of the UK’s textile and apparel imports.
What are the UK clothing imports by country in 2025?
For textiles and apparel combined, China supplied about $6.8 billion, Bangladesh $4.8 billion, Turkey $1.8 billion, and India and Pakistan about $1.7 billion each, with Vietnam and Cambodia around $1.3 billion each.
Does India have an FTA with the UK for textiles?
Yes. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement came into force on 15 July 2026 and removes UK tariffs on qualifying Indian textiles and clothing, provided the importer holds valid proof of origin.
Which are the top clothing manufacturing countries for UK brands?
China for technical garments, Bangladesh for high-volume basics, Turkey for speed, India for cotton knitwear, kidswear, and sleepwear, and Pakistan for denim and home textiles.
How much clothing does the UK import each year?
The UK imported about £17.7 billion of clothing in 2025, up around 6% on 2024, according to Office for National Statistics data.
About the Author: Karthik Shan
Karthik Shan is the founder and CEO of The Synerg, with 20+ years in the Tirupur textile hub. He publishes practical playbooks for brands on fabric GSM, costing (CM/CMT), AQL quality standards, and export-ready production.